Mainstream news in The Netherlands is depressing. It has to be shocking, sensational and topical. This way news gets negative and people feel like the world around them is changing for the worse. They lose trust and feel powerless. Yet, sciences proves it over and over again: the world is getting better every day for humans. And so, I share 7 news-article once a month in these posts. A mix of positive and bad news, but mostly positive, to make sure that positive news has the upper-hand. Along, I share a practical tip on what you can do to change that news. This could be a lifestyle change, a petition to sign or a campaign to support, anything. To make you feel in power, because we are! This way you’ll know about the positive news, how to keep it that way, the negative news and how to change that!
China Plans to Built Biggest Solar and Windpark Ever | 13-3
China is making plans to built the biggest solar and windpark ever in history. It wants to do so in the Gobi desert, a rocky desert. Projects by governments of this scale is something we really need right now. We need to use less energy yes, but we also need clean energy. China building this park which will produce 450 gigawatts, is an amazing step in the right direction.
Personal practical tip: if you have the resources, cut the fossil fuels out of your life. One very important thing is to choose a bank which does not invest in fossil fuels anymore. Then you can try to make changes in your own house. Getting a heat pump for example, or switching to electrical cooking. An electrical car is a solution, but using public transportation is even better.
Second Chamber in The Netherlands Eases Abortion | 15-3
Great news for people who are able to get pregnant! In the second chamber in the Netherlands a law has passed to ease abortion. If the law also passes the Senate (which is very likely) it will be possible to receive abortion pills at the general practitioner. This will make abortion possible with pills up until the 9th week of the pregnancy, after that the pregnant person seeking an abortion still has to go to an abortion center. 59% of all abortions in the Netherlands happen before the 8 week mark, so this new law will help a lot of people. It is especially important for people who have too little resources to visit an abortion center or are in an unsafe situation at home which makes them unable to be away for a long time. Also, a lot of people who want an abortion have to face anti-abortion protests while going to an abortion clinic.
Personal practical tip: nobody likes abortions. We all want to prevent them if that’s possible. However, prohibiting abortions does not work. Banning abortion only causes more illegal abortions. The real solution lies in free and accessible contraception and proper sex education. That’s why it’s important for parents to send their kids to a school which does not treat sex as a taboo, but gives proper sex education. If this is already the case, you can vote for parties which want free contraception. Or you can donate to organizations that educate people on sexuality (and which consider the important subjects, like consent and pleasure for all people), an example is Rutgers.
Amsterdam to Built Entire District Made From Wood | 15-3
Building with wood is gaining popularity in The Netherlands. This is a very good things, since wood is essentially a renewable resource (if managed sustainably). Wood can also very well be reused and it can function as a storage for CO2, something we need urgently in this climate crisis. In Amsterdam an entire district will be built out of wood, providing 700 houses in total. This is a great development, since we need to built sustainable.
Personal practical tip: we have a housing crisis in the Netherlands right now. A big problem is the law in The Netherlands, prohibiting or slowing down solutions. Therefore, we as citizens do not have so much influence on housing right now. You can vote for a party which wants to transform these laws to solve the housing problem (instead of building more houses, because experts say we have enough m2 for everyone, it’s just that a lot of buildings are empty). However, you can do something when you’re planning on building your own home. Use wood! If possible, reused wood.
Chickens Up For Adoption Now After Testing | 17-3
In The Netherlands it is unfortunately still legal to perform tests on animals. All sorts of animals are used for these horrible tests, from monkeys, to dogs to mice. There are groups of animals which can be adopted after they have been tested on and would otherwise be killed. Examples are beagles and mice. Today Animal Rights has expanded this, from now on you can also adopt chickens which would otherwise be killed.
Personal practical tip: you can feel this one coming. If you make the decision to expand your household, then please adopt and don’t shop.
Marc Overmars Has New Job in Belgium | 21-3
The technical director of Ajax, the biggest soccer club in The Netherlands, already has a new job in Belgium. He’s the new technical director of Royal Antwerp FC. Some time ago Overmars was accused of unacceptable behavior. There is a research still going on and he has faced no consequences yet. He quit his job at Ajax but now immediately has a new job in Antwerp, which is unacceptable. I am not saying the man is never allowed to work again, but he must first face the consequences of this actions.
Personal practical tip: all people deserve a second chance. If anyone has done things wrong, they can learn from it. Otherwise people coming from prison can never have a life again. However, I think they should lose some privileges and must sometimes be excluded from certain professions. I don’t have a personal practical tip for this news item.
Plastics Found in Human Blood for the First Time | 24-3
In Amsterdam, research has been done to see if plastics can be found in human blood. Blood from 22 anonymous donors were researched and in 75% plastics were found in the blood. This is the first time this has been recorded. The implications from plastic in your blood are unclear still, but if you’d ask me I think this can’t be good. Further research will now be done among bigger groups of people.
Personal practical tip: I’d say an entire plastic-free lifestyle is best. However, in this case I think it’s best you start with the food you eat. Buying your groceries plastic free where possible.
Paying for Single-Use Plastic Expanded in The netherlands in 2024 | 29-3
Years ago, a law in The Netherlands was passed so that single-use plastic bags need to be paid for and can’t be handed out for free anymore. In 2024 this law will be expanded. Then single-use cups and food packaging will not be free anymore either, but you’ll have to pay for these too. This law is a step in the right direction, since paying for single-use items has shown to decrease their use.
Personal practical tip: read my ultimate zero waste list to decrease the amount of waste in your own household.
Yours sincerely,
Romee